Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I regret that the Minister of State did not accept the amendment. Our amendment would have ensured there was further opportunity to analyse the state of the cancer services by 2014. It would have been a very good safeguard. I welcome today's announcement on Galway. However, it comes on the back of hearing of the absolutely appalling experiences that Mrs. Coburn and her sister had there. Obviously, as the Minister of State did, I take this opportunity to extend my sympathies to her on the sad loss of her sister. I am very saddened that her sister had such an appalling experience in the final weeks of her life. This is a case about which we have heard; how many more are there? This is the case that we have heard about, but how many more are out there? The quality of the patient experience and the actual outcomes that are occurring in hospitals need to be reviewed regularly in this House. We need monitoring and evaluation of what is happening. It is one thing to have the theory, but it is quite another to examine what is happening in practice. We have heard from Susie Long, Rebecca O'Malley, the women in Portlaoise and right across the country that the patient experience is very disturbing at the moment for many people in many areas, in spite of the good work done and the dedication of staff. After ten years of the Celtic tiger, during which €15 billion was put into the health service per annum, surely we should be getting better outcomes. We should have the basic cancer services and the experience of patients should be better than what we have been hearing about today.

I regret that the amendments tabled by Fine Gael and the Labour Party have not been accepted by the Minister of State. The Minister for Health and Children indicated strongly to Deputy O'Reilly that she had no problem with the amendment when he tabled it on Report Stage in the Dáil.

There are many aspects to this Bill and to the approach to cancer services which I certainly support, but we have to take into account the quality of the patient experience in St. Luke's Hospital. We have to take note of what is happening in the specialist centres as we speak. I am very disappointed that the amendments have not been accepted because I felt they would provide an opportunity to build in a quality review of the situation when the Minister wants to make those changes. That kind of accountability to the health committee and to the Dáil and Senate is important.

The Minister of State, Deputy Andrews, stated that it was unprecedented to have this type of triple lock. These are unprecedented times for patients. There are major challenges. Senator Quinn spoke about the increasing number of patients who will be in need of treatment and the need for more resources and staff in the area of cancer treatment.

I regret that our amendment was not accepted. It would have provided a real opportunity to look at the reality of the situation at the appropriate time and if necessary, to change the decision. We must listen to what patients have to say and to examine the experience of patients in designated centres, and action must be taken according to the information provided to the health committee and to the Houses. Our amendment and the Labour Party amendment would have allowed for reflection, for quality information and for a potential review of the decision.